TWO Dales farms were among award winners at the Great Yorkshire Show yesterday.

David Metcalfe, of Washfold Farm, near Leyburn, was the winner of the category for best farm over 1,000 acres.

Mr Metcalfe runs a Holstein herd on his 1,800-acre holding in Wensleydale.

Meanwhile, Chris and Kath Calvert, of Hazel Brow Farm, Swaledale, won recognition in the class for best farm attraction.

"Foot-and-mouth disease meant 2001 was a bad year, and 2002 was not all that much better," said Mrs Calvert.

"However, last year was also a struggle, but for a completely different reason. We were rushed off our feet welcoming thousands of visitors, including some large school parties."

Other winners from the region included Roger Jewitt, of Naburn, who was a winner in the best farm under 1,000 acres category, and Derek Kettlewell, of Raydale Preserves, Stalling Busk, Askrigg, who was recognised for his conservation work.

Meanwhile, a dozen workers with more than 400 years' experience between them, were presented with long service awards by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Engraved tankards, a certificate and a badge entitling them to free admission to the show for life went to all 12 in recognition of their dedication to the agricultural industry.

Recipients were agricultural worker Alan Baker, of Birdsall, near Malton; Paul Botterill, a leading hand, of Kirkbymoorside; general farm worker Peter Carver, of Baldersby St James, near Thirsk; John Crossland, a farm foreman, of East Heslerton, near Malton; agricultural worker Graham Johnson, of Birdsall, near Malton; gamekeeper Peter Pickersgill, of Galphay, near Ripon; Naburn's Gerald Pollin, an agricultural worker; gamekeeper Michael Richardson, of Helmsley; estate handyman Brian Surtees, of Thornton Watlass; herdsman Ron Turner, of Long Marston; farmworker Jason White, of Hartlepool, and forest worker Brian Wilson, of Helmsley.